The Texas senator urged a near-capacity audience at Liberty University to "imagine a president" who would abolish the IRS, secure the borders, grow the economy and protect religious liberty in a speech that also highlighted his immigrant father and the faith journey of his family.

"God's blessing has been on America from the very beginning of this nation, and I believe God isn't done with America yet," the Texas senator said. "I believe in you. I believe in the power of millions of courageous conservatives rising up to reignite the promise of America, and that is why today I am announcing that I am running for president of the United States."

Cruz, a freshman senator elected in 2012 with Tea Party support, actually made his candidacy official just after midnight with a post on Twitter and a short video. "I'm running for president and I hope to earn your support!" the tweet said.

Analysts say Cruz's policy positions will serve him well in the Iowa caucuses, scheduled for Feb. 1, where evangelical and social conservatives helped propel former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum to victory in 2008 and 2012, respectively.

Cruz is "probably the ideal candidate for a lot of conservative types who are activists and the Republicans that caucus," said Craig Robinson, founder of the Iowa Republican website and a former political director of the Iowa GOP. "He's the natural fit — a strong social conservative who has the fighter mentality. He's going to be right on all their issues."

The Texan will have his work cut out for him. Former Florida governor Jeb Bush and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker are leading early public opinion polls, with Cruz trailing in a second tier of candidates. By announcing first, Cruz will dominate headlines for a few days and benefit from news coverage until the rest of the field takes shape.

Taylor Budowich, executive director of the Tea Party Express, said Cruz and other GOP candidates need to show they can appeal to a broad range of voters if they want to win in 2016. He believes the senator's call for "opportunity conservatism" — in which the GOP offers policies that help everyone and not just the wealthy — will help Cruz.

"You have to articulate your vision for America," he said. "We can't just talk to ourselves. We can't win a national election if we don't expand the voter base."

Students at the world's largest Christian university swarmed Cruz as he came off the stage, where he had roamed like a talk-show host as he discussed his vision for America. He obliged supporters by posing for selfies and signing autographs, as he slowly made his way out of the arena.

An emotional Rafael Cruz, the senator's father and a suburban Dallas pastor with his own conservative following, was pleased. "I think he did outstanding," the elder Cruz said.

Jerry Falwell Jr., president of the university, told reporters that he received word about 10 days ago that Cruz wanted to speak at Liberty. Falwell said the school, founded in 1971 by his late father, the noted televangelist and leader of the Moral Majority, would not endorse any candidate.

Cruz won't be able to stay on center stage in the GOP race for very long. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky is reportedly going to declare his candidacy on April 7, and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida has also been moving toward an announcement soon. Cruz, Paul and Rubio will compete for the support of Tea Party insurgents, who helped all three get elected to the Senate.

Cruz speaks with commentator Mark Levin during a discussion of the Constitution during the Conservative Political Action Conference at National Harbor, Md., on Feb. 23, 2017. Mike Theiler, AFP/Getty Images

Cruz tops to answer a question from members of the media following a news conference with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, about the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the U.S., during a news conference on Capitol Hill on Dec. 8, 2015. AP

Cruz speaks at a rally in front of the World War II Memorial on Oct. 13, 2013, in Washington as Senate leaders search for a deal to end the partial government shutdown and avert a federal default. Alex Brandon, AP

Ted Cruz, then the Texas solicitor general, and Don R. Willett, then the deputy state attorney general for legal counsel, leave the federal courthouse after a pre-trial hearing on Dec. 9, 2003, in Austin. Harry Cabluck, AP

Steve Peery, a retiree from Lexington, Va., and his daughter, Stephanie, waved small flags at the Vines Center, Liberty's basketball arena, during Cruz's speech.

"He's a 360-degree turnaround from the current politics we've got now," Peery said. "If he's trying to get young people, then I'm going to be young again and jump right in. He's a fresh stream of water."

Cruz's speech came on the fifth anniversary of President Obama signing into law the Affordable Care Act. As a senator, Cruz exploded into the national consciousness in 2013 with his 21-hour protest of the law known as Obamacare. His defiant stance on the Senate floor helped set the stage for the government shutdown that year.

Stephanie Peery said she's behind Cruz because he wants to repeal Obama's health care law. "He's consistent," she said of Cruz. "He doesn't waver in his beliefs."

At the White House, press secretary Josh Earnest declined to comment on Cruz's candidacy or his long-standing pledge to repeal Obama's health care law. However, without mentioning him by name, Earnest did note that the GOP's last presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, also ran on a pledge to repeal Obamacare.

"That campaign pledge did not work out very well for him," Earnest said.